Michelin Bib Gourmand List - Chicago 2010

The Michelin Guide released their Bib Gourmand list of very good values in Chicago today. These restaurants are defined as "a very good value means an appetizer and entree, plus a glass of wine, will cost $40 or less." This is essentially places either not quite up to star-level, or places that simply do not aspire to that level of sophistication in their service and menu. Either way it is still a heck of an honor. The full list can be found at The Stew. A few places jump out at me though, and seem worth noting and having a few thoughts about.

• Ann Sather - I love the cinnamon buns as much as the next good and decent American. But there is not a whole lot else to recommend this place anymore, especially with so many new and exciting brunch spots in the city.
• Frontera Grill - I've never actually been here. I've eaten at Topolobompo and Xoco, but never Frontera. After this though Bayless is going to drown someone in a tub of guacamole if Topo doesn't get 2 stars. And he will tweet 35 times during the process.
• Hopleaf - Went there last night. Review forthcoming. Awesome sandwich, but some kind of shady things going on. There will be blood.
• Los Nopales - I am torn about this. I am very happy for them. But I love that they are usually not crowded and serving some of the most underrated food in the city. This place pretty much is the definition of "very good value" and earned this award with flying colors.
• Lula Cafe - I was underwhelmed by Lula. Not awful, but not at all worth all the attention and the wait.
• Mixteco Grill- I had a decent meal here, but I would never have imagined that they would earn this award. Maybe I had the wrong things there. It seemed like any other small Mexican establishment when I went there.
• Perennial - Again, review forthcoming. Had an excellent brunch here. Surprised it falls in the price guidelines, as things were a bit pricey. Not unduly so, but wouldn't have guessed it as a "value" pick.
• Raj Darbar - This shocked me. Of all the Indian places in Chicago, this is one of the more nondescript, middle of the pack places. How this ended up getting this slot I don't understand.
• Smoque - Great, now the lines will be even longer. Not at all undeserved honor, as the BBQ here is wonderful. Just wish they would expand. But then I wish Doug Sohn would add a few thousand square feet too, and that's never going to happen.

Now let the wait for the star-rated restaurants begin. Someone's going to be pissed off next week. But WHO????